Dear Angelenos,

On July 23, Los Angeles City Planning, the Department of Building and Safety, and the Housing Department celebrated the grand opening of the South Los Angeles Development Service Center (DSC). Located at the Mark Ridley-Thomas Constituent Service Center at 8475 Vermont Avenue, First Floor, City Planning’s addition to the DSC creates a one-stop shop for South LA residents to access critical services to begin the building process and have better access to all three departments.

Access to City Hall resources and development services in South LA is an important step towards equity in L.A. Local residents and community members can access resources nearby instead of traveling to Downtown LA, the location of the next closest DSC. Applicants can schedule an appointment to receive support in navigating requirements and guidance on planning services. Small business owners can also visit the DSCs to learn about existing requirements that might help them with quicker processing times so they can obtain permits faster and receive information about new land use regulations and expedited case processing services.

This location will be more than a traditional DSC. This will also serve as a facility for other important City Planning initiatives such as community engagement for community planning initiatives and environmental justice outreach. This location is also in the same constituent service center that hosts the South LA Area Planning Commission and Crenshaw Corridor Design Review Board meetings, which provides the local community a more accessible opportunity to increase community participation and provide local input on proposed projects and policy initiatives.

We understand there is more work to be done, but this is a step towards propelling South LA for even more success. Providing a space for more Angelenos to learn about proposed land use policies is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback and participate in the planning process. Together we work to uplift the quality of life in our City.

Together, we are #Planning4LA.

Sincerely,

Vince Bertoni,

Director of Planning

DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES

City Planning Launches

South LA Full-Service Counter

Approximately 75 audience members packed the community room at the Mark Ridley Thomas Constituent Services Center in Council District 8 last Tuesday in celebration of the grand opening of the South LA Development Services Center (DSC). Director of City Planning Vince Bertoni, Los Angeles Building and Safety General (LADBS) Manager Osama Younan and General Manager for the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) Ann Sewill provided remarks about how the DSC marked a major step toward greater inclusivity, economic opportunity, and support for historically underserved communities.

The DSCs, or public counters, are the first stop for project planning services. The South LA DSC will serve residents and business owners in Council Districts 8, 9, 10, and 15. There are currently two DSCs with dedicated planning resources: Metro (Downtown), and Valley (Van Nuys). This new DSC is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Black and brown planners who have advocated for years to establish this critical resource in South LA.

“A legacy of inequities including racialized policies - from redlining and zoning to urban renewal have contributed to the disenfranchisement of South Los Angeles,” said Director of Planning Vince Bertoni. “This collaborative DSC allows City Planning to bring staff and other vital services closer to the community and surrounding areas. This opportunity will help bridge the gap of community stakeholder involvement in urban planning policy as well as make new land use policies, zoning regulations and development standards more accessible to help cultivate a more inclusive and prosperous South LA.”

In-person services are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays with virtual appointments available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For more information, visit Planning4LA.org/SouthLA-DSC.

The South LA DSC is located at:

Mark Ridley-Thomas Constituent

Service Center

8475 Vermont Avenue, First Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90044

Planning4LA.org/SouthLA-DSC

Los Angeles City Planning and Black Planners of LA (BPLA) Win State-Level American Planning Association Awards

Los Angeles City Planning was recently awarded a American Planning Association California Award of Merit in the Public Outreach category for the Housing Policy team's Community Based Organization (CBO) Outreach efforts for the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP). “It's an accomplishment that reflects our team’s dedicated efforts at inclusivity and equity in our engagement efforts,” said City Planner Wajiha Ibrahim, who is part of the department’s Housing Element team. The Housing Policy team also recently won an Award of Excellence from the Los Angeles section of APA (APA LA).

Working alongside staff from the department's Environmental Justice team, the Housing team's CBO outreach for the CHIP was recognized as a model effort to amplify the voices of those traditionally underrepresented in the planning process through collaborative, inclusive and creative events amidst a historic effort to rezone the city for increased development of affordable housing.

Additionally, the Black Planners of Los Angeles (BPLA), whose membership includes many Planning staff, received an Award of Excellence from APA CA in the Advancing Diversity and Social Change in Honor of Paul Davidoff award category. BPLA continues to expand professional development opportunities available to City employees and is planning further community engagement events to elevate the interests of BIPOC communities. BPLA was recently recognized as an employee organization by the Los Angeles City Council for their commitment to supporting Black employees across the City.

Both teams will be honored on September 29, 2024 at the 2024 APA California Conference in Riverside.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Los Angeles Affordable Housing Crisis: Part 4

What is the City Doing About It?!?

Los Angeles City Planning recently launched the final segment of a four-part social media video series with LA in a Minute content creator Evan Lovett. This segment focused on the proposed Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP), which offers land use incentives for 100% Affordable Housing Projects and housing developed on land owned by Faith Based Organizations. The AHIP also offers incentives for publicly owned and underutilized land citywide, such as areas within a half-mile of a major transit stop, in Low Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and in moderate and higher opportunity areas. To learn more about AHIP, and how it addresses LA’s housing needs, visit Planning4LA.org/CHIP! Please share your feedback with us at housingelement@lacity.org.

Southeast Valley Community Plan Update At Pride

On Saturday, June 29, City Planning staff attended the San Fernando Valley Pride block party at the Van Nuys Civic Center. Valley work programs represented were the East San Fernando Valley Transit Neighborhood Plan (ESFV TNP), Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan (OLTNP), the South East Valley Community Plan Update, and the South West Valley Community Plan Update. Having Valley teams present allowed community members to directly engage with planning staff about work programs in their community or areas of interest. Overall, the teams interacted with over 100 community members, sharing updates, answering questions, and noting comments. They also distributed fact sheets, Planning swag, and postcards with information on work programs in the San Fernando Valley.

OFFICE OF RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND TRANSFORMATIVE PLANNING

Last month, the Office of Racial Justice, Equity, and Transformative Planning (ORJETP) met with staff from the Department of Civil and Human Rights to discuss a reparations plan for Black Angelenos. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts, spearheaded at the state-wide level, to address the historical injustices faced by enslaved African Americans and their descendants. Staff from the LA Civil Rights Department emphasized the importance of connecting the Parks and Recreation Department, the Civil and Human Rights Department, and the Department of City Planning to support this initiative.

During the meeting, Planning Chief Equity Officer Faisal Roble brought attention to the detrimental effects of historical land use and zoning practices that have significantly hindered Black Americans' ability to accumulate wealth. These impacts were accelerated by the use of racially restrictive housing covenants beginning in the 1920s and policies such as the 1944 GI Bill that excluded Black veterans from taking advantage of life altering homeownership opportunities. Such policies, which built off the legacy of chattel slavery, intentionally perpetuated racial disparities and resulted in segregated areas of the city that are economically underserved and shoulder a disproportionate number of harmful land uses.

In 2020, California established a Reparations Task Force to evaluate the state's legacy of slavery and its impacts. The task force's findings revealed that laws such as the 1852 Fugitive Slave Law enforced by California contributed to this legacy. The state legislature has earmarked $12 million for reparations, but has not finalized a concrete plan. These inter-departmental conversations are a crucial step towards addressing the systemic inequities faced by many Black Americans and their descendants.

JULY METRICS

Hearing and Events

Development Trends

Applications filed declined by 5.5% while applications completed increased by 4.7% between May and June 2024. Proposals for market rate and affordable housing units declined by 34% and 48%, respectively, while the number of affordable units approved by LA City Planning increased 117% month-over-month.

COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATES

Boyle Heights

On May 30, 2024, the Mayor approved the City Planning Commission’s action and transmitted the Boyle Heights Community Plan for the Planning and Land Use management (PLUM) Committee and City Council’s consideration of the amendments to the Community Plan, Framework Element, Community Plan Text, General Plan Map Land Use Change and Matrices. The Plan is anticipated to be heard again by the PLUM Committee and City Council in the summer or early fall of 2024.
The City Planning Commission disapproved modifications to the City Council adopted amendments to the Community Plan at its meeting on January 11, 2024.
The PLUM Committee recommended approval of the Community Plan with amendments on December 5, 2023, following which the City Council also recommended its approval on December 12, 2023. The City Council’s actions on the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update are summarized here.
Following the Mayor’s approval, the Plan has been transmitted to the PLUM Committee for adoption (Council File 23-0861).
On November 7, 2023 Los Angeles City Planning held an Open House event in partnership with Council Member Kevin de León - Council District 14, and the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, as part of the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update.
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) was published on August 10, 2023
Proposed Plan was unanimously approved by City Planning Commission on April 20, 2023
Held a public hearing on the Draft Community Plan text, zoning regulations, Draft Land Use Map, and Draft Community Plan Implementation Overlay (CPIO) on October 27, 2022
Published Draft EIR on July 28, 2022, and the EIR comment period ended on October 11, 2022

Downtown

The City Attorney is reviewing the Downtown Community Plan Implementing Ordinances and the New Zoning Code. After City Attorney Review, documents will be transmitted to theCity Council for final approval and an effective date will be established.
Per direction from City Council, transmitted reports on topics such as Adaptive Reuse, and Public Open Space in September 2023, to inform further refinements to the Community Plan
The Planning and Land Use management (PLUM) committee recommended approval of the Community Plan with amendments on April 24th, 2023, following which the City Council also recommended its approval on May 3rd, 2023
Transmitted Director of Planning's Memo to PLUM in September 2022, and a Director of Planning's Supplemental Memo to PLUM in March, 2023 describing a few amendments to the CPC Recommended draft
Transmitted Letter of Determination, Final EIR (FEIR), and CPC's recommended Community Plan to the Mayor and City Council for adoption on September 27, 2022
City Planning Commission recommended the plan and new zoning for approval in September 2021
Released revised materials in advance of City Planning Commission hearing, including Zoning, Plan Text, Land Use Map, and Community Benefits Program, in June 2021

Harbor

Preparing for the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee
Preparing Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
The Proposed Harbor Community Plans were considered and recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission on February 8, 2024
Hosted a virtual information session and public hearing - November 2023
Released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for public review and comment – September 2023
Hosted Virtual and In-Person Office Hours – September 2023
Released the proposed Harbor LA zones and new zoning tutorial video series in September 2023
Released Harbor LA StoryMap with new zoning information in December 2021

Hollywood

On May 3, 2023, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted the Hollywood Community Plan Update. The City Council also recommended an amendment requested in the motion from Council District 13 (Soto-Martinez) and a follow up report requested in the motion from Council District 4 (Raman). Additional information about the requested amendments is summarized here.
The implementing ordinances will now be reviewed and finalized by the City Attorney, to ensure clarity of regulations and consistency with state law, which can take approximately six months to a year. After this process is complete, the Plan will be brought into effect by the City Council.

Southeast Valley

Released StoryMap for the Draft General Plan Land Use (GPLU) Designations for three Community Plans: North Hollywood - Valley Village, Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass, and Van Nuys - North Sherman Oaks.
Scheduling outreach meetings with various stakeholder groups and neighborhood councils across all three community plans, Spring-Summer 2024
Drafting Policy Documents, June - September 2024

Southwest Valley

Released an interactive draft Zoning Map, draft Plan Policy text, and updated draft General Plan Land Use Designations map, accompanied by public engagement
Extended virtual office hour appointments are available, where stakeholders can sign up to meet one-on-one with planning staff.

Westside

Preparing for Neighborhood Council outreach throughout the summer across the four Community Plan Areas
Staff hosted approximately 50 Virtual Office Hours on May 21, May 23, May 28, and May 30th In March, City Planning released the 2024 Draft General Plan Land Use Maps for each of the four Community Plan Areas, along with an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap and additional supporting materials, available on the program website
Preparing 2024 WCPAG Curriculum that outlines meeting topics, dates, and times
WCPAG draft materials, recordings and presentations made publicly accessible on the Westside Community Plans info page

#OurLA

Venice Lifeguard Station

With summer in full swing, what better historic site to feature than the Venice Lifeguard Station, which was recently designated City Historic-Cultural Monument #1301. Built in 1968 in the Mid-Century Modern architectural style, the building served originally as the headquarters of the Los Angeles City Lifeguard Service. When City and County lifeguard services consolidated in 1975, it became the headquarters for the County Lifeguard Services until 2016. The iconic building with its hexagonal shape and two-story observational tower represents the formative period of growth and institutionalization in Los Angeles City and County lifeguard agencies, one of the top lifesaving operations in the world. While headquartered at the subject property, lifeguards saved thousands of lives and profoundly shaped the leisure, recreation, and beach culture that defines Venice and Southern California. To learn more about the history of lifeguarding in Los Angeles and about the Venice Lifeguard Station, read the staff report and HCM nomination here.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

1247 W. Sunset Boulevard

This month, the City Planning Commission heard about a proposed new mixed-use residential and commercial development at 1247 W. Sunset Boulevard in the Silver Lake—Echo Park—Elysian Valley Community Plan Area of Council District 1. The proposed structure will contain 327 residential units, including 41 Very Low Income Affordable units, and the units will be comprised of 13 studios, 230 one-bedroom units, 79 two-bedroom units, and five three-bedroom units. The project and the housing will be broken into two structures on the property, with Building A containing 279 residential units and Building B containing 48 residential units. Buildings A and B will also include approximately 9,462 square feet of ground-floor commercial space between the two of them. In addition, the project will also provide a total of 41,565 square feet of usable open space distributed among private decks, courtyards, roof decks, retail patios, indoor amenities, and public plazas.